Itineraries & trails

Experience trails

Backpacker & Working Holiday Trail

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime and legendary memories.

Our Backpacker and Working Holiday Highlight trail is designed to give you a taste of the exciting variety of places to stay, must see and do activities and annual events across The Legendary Pacific Coast, Australia’s top tourism drive.

Within this trail there is information to help before you leave home such as Working Holiday Visa information, working in regional areas on the ‘Harvest Trail’ and how you can become a WWOOFER (Willing Working on Organic Farms) and Helpx contact details.

If you’re into Food and Wine, Culture and Heritage, Surfing Safaris and National Parks, make sure you have a look at these trails too! Stretching 930kms from Sydney to Brisbane, along the north coast of eastern NSW, Australia’s top tourism drive provides pristine coastline and lush hinterland villages and rainforest. There are destinations just north of Sydney where you can experience the Australian bush, some of the country’s best vineyards, arts and culture, dolphin and whale watching. As you travel further north take in unique regional nightlife and festivals, swimming, surfing, diving, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, biking, bush walking, local sports and iconic nationally renowned events.

If you need a vehicle we have details of who to contact and if you have your own transport and camping gear, see the tonnes of camping and caravan sites listed under places to stay from caravan parks to National Parks and State Forests. Many of the hostels are also listed on the highlight trail for great budget accommodation along the route. If you’re travelling by train or bus, we’ve got those details too. Most importantly, take the opportunity to slow down and explore some of the best destinations in Australia on The Legendary Pacific Coast and live like a local!

The Entrance Backpackers

You will find our accommodation clean and spacious and receive personal service from our welcoming staff.

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Newcastle Beach YHA

Opposite Newcastle Beach, this beautiful, restored heritage building is full of character and friendly staff. Relax in the courtyard or the ballroom with its chandeliers and open fire. The modern facilities include: television, VCR and movies, internet/wi-fi, pool table, self-catering kitchen, dining area and laundry. Take advantage of the YHA’s surfboards and body-boards or book a tour at reception. Weekly pizza nights, trivia and free pub meals and activities. Rooms range from multi-share to double/twins, and even singles.

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Stay in the Hunter – Bimbadgen – A Day on the Green

Stay in the Hunter for a night or two and attend these fantastic events.

A lush amphitheatre surrounded by vines allows Bimbadgen to entertain up to 8,000 people for several music concerts each year. The hugely successful ‘A Day on the Green’ concert series is a feature of the Estate. Since ‘A Day on the Green’ commenced in November 2002, Bimbadgen has been host to a range of national and internationally acclaimed artists, including John Mellancamp, Alicia Keys, Leonard Cohen, The John Butler Trio, John Fogarty, INXS, Joe Cocker, Simply Red and Jimmy Barnes just to name a few. Not to be missed so check the website for dates of all artists with Jimmy Barns, The Angles and Roxette coming soon. There is a variety of accommodation in the Hunter Valley so check this trail and website for more information.

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Hunter Valley YHA

This YHA in the heart of wine country operates its own fun and friendly wine tours around the beautiful Hunter Valley. Hire a bike from the hostel for a do it yourself tour, relax in the pool and sauna, fire up the barbecue or take advantage of the hostel’s wood-fired pizza oven. They’re also an easy walk from the local pub with meals and nightlife. There’s so much to do here you’ll need several days.

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Port Stephens YHA

Escape to this award-winning YHA’s comfortable bungalows nestled amongst three acres of natural Australian rainforest. Spot a koala from your balcony, chill by the saltwater pool, and enjoy a night in the bush kitchen, round the campfire, or in the TV ‘Shed’. The hostel has wireless internet, free sand boards for the dunes, and bike hire to head to unspoiled beaches. Book activities and tours at the hostel. Ideal retreat for solo travellers, friends, couples and families alike.

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Stay in the Manning for the Akoostik Festival

Stay in the Manning Valley in October for the Wingham Akoostik Festival. The festival provides two days of non-stop entertainment at the Wingham Showground. You can stay at the showground or book accommodation close by in motels or B&Bs.

This year the line up includes James Reyne, Grace Night and Rick Price to name a few artists. Stay for the weekend in Wingham and chill out, listen to music, shop at the markets, visit the cafes and shops and experience the festival in this country town nestled on the banks of the Manning River. The Akoostik Festival is across the weekend of 16 to 18 October 2015.

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Port Macquarie YHA – Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers

Located halfway between Sydney & Byron Bay, Port Macquarie YHA – Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers is more like a resort than a hostel. Relax in the poolside cabana, swim, or snooze in a hammock under palm trees. Make new friends with a BBQ in our cosy courtyard, enjoy loads of entertainment in the games or TV/movie room, and hang out with our pet parrot Cheeky. Town, shops, riverside cafes and bars are 5 minutes walk away. A must on any east coast travels.

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Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding

Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding is the North Coast’s most awarded and recommended horse riding experience. Professionally guided daily trail rides, overnight packages, 2-day pub ride adventure and the 3 day Bellrowan to Bago trek. Horses are our love and giving our visitors the greatest experience is our passion all year round! We also provide the opportunity for backpackers and Woofers to stay and work on the property.

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Bellingen YHA

Bellingen YHA is a beautiful, funky and friendly YHA. Relax in a hammock, chill on the balcony overlooking the river and rainforest gardens, play music or pool, and watch the bats at sunset. The hostel offers bikes for hire and river tubing. Take a tour to the waterfalls and rainforest of Dorrigo National Park, canoe the Bellinger River, and enjoy the village with its great cafes, shops and monthly markets. Accommodation is in twin/double, family and multi-share rooms.

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Coffs Harbour YHA

Coffs Harbour YHA is a clean, comfortable YHA located close to the jetty and beach, making it a perfect stopover midway between Sydney and Brisbane. There’s a choice of large multi-share backpacker rooms and ensuite twin/double room accommodation. Modern facilities include spacious dining and common rooms, TV, internet, BBQ and pool area. Surfboards, body boards and bikes are all available, as well as YHA member discounts for tours, activities and attractions.

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Hoey Moey Backpackers

The Park Beach Hotel Motel and Hoey Moey Backpackers offers excellent value accommodation, right on the beachfront in Coffs Harbour. We also have a great bistro and bar that is open 7 days with great value meals for all guests. Stay at Hoey Moeys and discover what the Coffs Coast region has to offer. Regular entertainment is provided and for international backpackers, working holiday information on local farm work is available.

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Yamba YHA

Yamba YHA is located at one of Australia’s top surf spots, on the NSW north coast, a great stopover between Sydney and Brisbane. Walk to beaches, pubs and clubs from the award winning, purpose-built YHA. Enjoy barbecues, live music by the pool on the rooftop deck, relax after a busy day in the comfy TV room, and grab a meal or drink in the cool cafe/bar. Surf with the managers and don’t miss Shane’s famous Yamba tour.

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Casino Beef Week

Approaching its 31st anniversary Casino Beef Week, held in May-June, is widely known with an average of 40,000 people crowding into town on the main Saturday. The main streets are closed and filled with cattle, a live cattle auction, food stalls, entertainment stages, whip cracking, wood chopping, junior stockman, street entertainers, art and craft exhibitions and more. The grand parade of colourful floats takes pride of place in the afternoon with the crowd going to the rodeo or out to pubs and clubs to enjoy live music and comradeship. The dates for next year are 23 May to 2 June 2015.

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Lennox Head Beachhouse YHA

This small, family-run YHA hostel has a laid back atmosphere and is only 100 metres from Seven Mile Beach and Tea Tree Lake Ainsworth. The hostel offers boogie boards, paddle skis, bikes, golf clubs, tennis racquets and fishing gear. Plus you’ll find a natural therapies clinic onsite. Learn to windsurf on the lake or try out some great surfing spots – the Lennox Head Experience, the best of the east coast in budget accommodation.

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Experience Nimbin

Nimbin is Australia’s most famous alternative lifestyle capital and shot to fame when it hosted the 1973 Aquarius Festival, attracting students, hippies and visionaries from all over Australia. This internationally famous village is intriguing and quirky with its colourful local characters and a streetscape of indigenous, rainforest and psychedelic facades.

There are a unique range of cafes and stores to discover in the main street, making it a great day out whilst holidaying in the region.

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Nimbin Rox YHA

Nimbin Rox YHA is an island of tranquility nestled in lush tropical gardens amidst 25 acres of the magical Nimbin Valley. Relax by the hostel’s tropical pool, chill in the hammock, wander into nearby Nimbin Village. Explore this amazing landscape of rolling green valleys, misty mountains, winding rivers and friendly wildlife. It is all here on the doorstep. The hostel has a choice of multi-share backpacker rooms, twin/double accommodation and canvas/teepee rooms.

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Byron Bay YHA

Byron Bay YHA is in the town centre, only 400 metres from the beach. Share and twin/double rooms have fans and open onto large decks overlooking the large heated swimming pool and barbecue area, surrounded by tropical palms. There’s also a separate lounge and TV room, self-catering kitchen, internet and wi-fi, plus bikes, surfboards and body boards to hire. Get great YHA member discounts on tours and activities at the hostel tour desk.

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Byron Bay International Film Festival

Stay at a variety of accommodation options available when you come to the Byron Bay International Film Festival. It has the good fortune to be located in one of Australia’s most desirable locations – a community renowned worldwide for its focus on style and innovative design, green values, and multicultural creativity. Attendees include Australian and International filmmakers, directors, producers, performers, film-lovers and cultural tourists. Over half of the Australian films screened are represented by their Director, Cast Members &/or Producer. There is an extensive variety of backpacker accommodation in Byron listed in this Backpacker & Working Holiday Trail so book now for 6 to 15 March 2015.

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Cape Byron YHA

This purpose-built YHA hostel is centrally located in town, just 200m to the beach. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in common areas surrounding a large heated pool and BBQ area. Facilities include a television/reading room, internet, kitchen with free tea and coffee, laundry. There is also free use of bikes and boogie boards. Activities and tour bookings can be made at reception or the tour desk and there is a cafe and dive centre on-site. Multi-share and twin/double rooms available.

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Byron Bay Bluesfest

Camp on site or stay in a variety of accommodation options available in Byron when you come to the Byron Bay Bluesfest. It is an annual multi-award winning music festival held for four days over the Easter long weekend at Byron Bay. It features a large selection of blues and roots performers, both international and Australian. The event is held at Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm, nestled on 120 hectares, just 11km north of Byron Bay and 8km south of Brunswick Heads. It is a fully operational Tea Tree Farm for most of the year and turns into a fabulous Bluesfest site for the Easter Festival weekend. The festival dates for 2015 are 2 till 6 April with camping on site. Visit their website for ticket and camping details.

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Splendour in the Grass

Stay in Byron or Brunswick Heads when you come to Splendour in the Grass – an annual Australian music festival held in July each year. Check their website for dates in 2015. With a current capacity of 30,000 and an event spanning three days, Splendour in the Grass is generally considered to be the country’s largest winter music festival. Splendour’s home is Byron Bay and it allows the audience to have a true Splendour experience, a quality music and arts festival combined with that distinctive Byron culture. There is a variety of backpacker accommodation in Byron so check these out on this trail and our website.

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Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge

We invite you to laze in our sub tropical haven and share the lush gardens with native fauna and flora. Sun bake by the huge pool, swing in a hammock or take part in one of the many workshops and activities, such as; didgeridoo, drumming, reiki and yoga or the famous weekly talent show.

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Murwillumbah YHA

This riverside YHA has a quirky decor, homely vibe and stunning views of the Tweed River and Mount Warning. It’s a great base to explore the region, relax and meet other travellers. Free ice cream served every night at 9pm. Climb Mount Warning, take advantage of the hostel’s canoes and bikes, visit nearby National Parks, rainforest and waterfalls, or explore the town’s murals, galleries and graffiti wall. Uncrowded beaches 20 km away by car or bus.

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Coolangatta YHA

Coolangatta YHA is ‘the’ backpackers surf hostel on the Gold Coast, offering courtesy transfers to Kirra and Durangbah surf breaks. The hostel has a games room, 24 hour access, BBQ nights, bicycle hire, internet kiosk and groceries. Across the road from the hostel is a 24 hour bus service to take you from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise. The hostel also offers backpackers free breakfast, and tea and coffee available.

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Surfers Paradise YHA

Surfers Paradise YHA Backpackers Hostel is a great base for backpackers to explore the Gold Coast. A stone’s throw to Main Beach and overlooking the marina, you can learn to surf, shop till you drop, enjoy drinks at the downstairs pub or party ’til sunrise in town. Surfers Paradise YHA is your ticket to all the thrills on the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise is a backpackers haven. This hostel is not recommended for families.

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Brisbane City YHA

Brisbane City YHA is conveniently located only a 10-minute walk from the Brisbane Transit Centre. Recently renovated, this Australiana-themed contemporary hostel has a sensational rooftop pool overlooking the city and Brisbane River, as well as Drifters Café/Bar, wi-fi throughout, a handy tour desk, regular activities and a range of multi-share, double/twin and ensuite rooms. Winner Best Backpacker Accommodation, Queensland Tourism Awards 2011.